Hager noted that money for the fair is not spent until the actual event. “There was a strong consideration of maintaining the traditions of our fair and persevering but, with the uncertainty of making enough money to keep the fair going another year, the decision was made to sit it out this year so that the (Sewickley Township Community Fair) can stay in a strong financial position to continue holding the fair every year after this,” a post on the fair’s Facebook page reads.

Fair officials were set to celebrate the 85th anniversary of the event that features tractor exhibits, tractor pulling, hay hauling, craft shows, a karaoke contest and more. This will be the first time the fair has missed a year since it started in 1935, Hager said. It’s unfortunate, but only time will bear out if it was right or wrong.” “Most people are just kind of sad,” said Dave Hager, president of the Sewickley fair. It’s the first time the fair was canceled since the Civil War.įair officials said they are starting plans for next year’s event. The event would have been the 165th year. The Big Butler Fair, which draws families from New York, Ohio and West Virginia, is officially off, according to the fair website. Gatherings in that phase are limited to 25 or fewer people, but there are ways fairs could reconfigure events to follow covid-19 restrictions, Wolf said.Īn official with the Westmoreland Fair said a decision will be made after June 1.

Tom Wolf this week said county fairs and other events could be held in places in the yellow phase, which includes southwestern Pennsylvania. Among those are the Sewickley Township Community Fair and the Derry Township Agricultural Fair. So far, 16 of the 108 fairs across the state have been called off, said Sally Nolt, president of the Pennsylvania State Association of County Fairs. Rural communities across Pennsylvania are feeling the effects of the coronavirus pandemic as local fairs, often social epicenters during the summer, are canceled in accordance with state regulations.

Derry township agricultural fair